# Egypt-AD Ports Red Sea Deals Reported, Progress Unclear

> Wardheer News reported Egypt and AD Ports agreements for Safaga cruise and cargo terminals, but post-announcement progress is unverified.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: ports, utilities
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/egypt-ad-ports-red-sea-deals-reported

## Key points

- On 8 January 2024, Wardheer News reported Egypt had entered two agreements with AD Ports Group to develop Safaga port.
- The report outlines a $3 million cruise terminal investment and a $200 million cargo facility, but no later verified progress.
- No evidence of a definitive concession agreement, actual spending, or construction milestones is available.

On 8 January 2024, Wardheer News reported that Egypt had entered two agreements with the UAE’s AD Ports Group to develop Safaga on the Red Sea into a major international port. The report, which is the sole source for these developments, does not establish what has happened since that date.

One agreement covers the development, operation, and management of three cruise terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh under a 15-year concession with the Red Sea Port Authority. The Egyptian parliament initially approved this agreement on January 5, according to Wardheer News, and a definitive concession agreement was expected to be concluded in the first quarter of 2024. However, no evidence has been published confirming whether that definitive agreement was signed.

The cruise terminal arrangement calls for AD Ports to invest $3 million in management and operations. Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said in a statement reported by Wardheer News that the agreement would help develop tourism in the Red Sea region and strengthen ties between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. AD Ports Group also claimed the investment would boost cruise tourism in the Red Sea and support economic growth for Egypt. Those commitments remain unverified as of this report.

A separate agreement to expand commercial port operations at Safaga was announced on December 27, though Wardheer News did not specify the year. Under that collaboration with the Red Sea Ports Authority, AD Ports would invest $200 million over three years to develop an 810,000 square meter terminal with a 1,000 meter berth. The facility is planned to handle dry bulk, liquid bulk, container cargo, and RoRo traffic, with a target opening by 2025. Wardheer News did not provide details on any contractors, consultants, or procurement milestones.

Wardheer News described the program as ill-timed because of the current security problems in the southern Red Sea, while noting it is part of Egypt’s long-term plan for the region. The report also said Safaga could become Egypt’s first internationally operated port. Egypt reported that the UAE is its second-largest trading partner, and Egypt ranks fifth in non-oil trade with Arab countries, according to Wardheer News.

No public evidence has emerged to indicate whether the definitive concession agreement was signed in Q1 2024, whether the $3 million or $200 million commitments have been deployed, or whether construction has begun. The Wardheer News report remains the most recent attributable source on this development.

## Questions

### What did Wardheer News report about Egypt and AD Ports on 2024-01-08?

Wardheer News reported Egypt entered two agreements with AD Ports Group to develop Safaga port: one for three cruise terminals and one to expand commercial operations with a $200 million, three-year investment.

### Has a definitive concession agreement for the Egypt-AD Ports cruise terminals been signed?

No. Wardheer News reported a definitive concession agreement was expected in the first quarter of 2024, but no evidence of signing has been published since.

### What is the status of the $3 million and $200 million investments?

The $3 million and $200 million figures are investment commitments announced by Wardheer News. There is no evidence they have been deployed or spent.

## Sources

- [Egypt Agrees with AD Ports to Develop Cruise and Cargo at Red Sea Ports](https://wardheernews.com/egypt-agrees-with-ad-ports-to-develop-cruise-and-cargo-at-red-sea-ports/) — Wardheer News, 2024-01-08